
Book A\ia. 



Lessons ffom Itie Lfe and Death of a 


Good Bu er 




A DISCOURSE 






DELIVERED ON THE 




Bt^i 


of Mdkml Wit 

J TJ 3Sr E 1, 1865, 


iMtiitig 


IN 


CHRIST CHURCH, CINCINNATI. 


By 


Kev. JOHN W. McCAKTY 

RECTOR or THK PARISH. 


A. B., 




CIlSrCINNATI: 




1 


CRINTED BY JOS. B. BOYD, 25 WEST FOURTH STREET, 




18G6. 





LESSONS 



M50M THE 



LIFE AND DEATH OF A GOOD RULER. 



A DISCOURSE 

1) K L X V K E E LI IN CHRIST C H U R C H , C 1 X C I N N A T I , O . , 

(On the gat! jjf ^atioiuU pouvnintj, 

•TJJlSrF. 1st, 1865. 



By Rev. .JOHN W. McCAETY, A. B 



RrCTOI! or THK I'ARISH. 



CINC'INNA.T1: 

I'RINTEI) HY JOS. B. BOYD, i'; WEST FOURTH .'-TREET, 

1 8G5. 



,3 

,^1 . -^ 



DAY OF NATIilNAl, MOUKNlMi. 



T(l KK HEAP IN THB CHCUCHES OF THK DIOCESK dl' OHIO, AT MOKMMi I'lt.VVKR OS 
THK I.ASfT SDXUAY OK THIS MONTH. ' 

7h t/ie Clerfiii awl Laibi of Hie Dio<'esr : — 

Brkthkkn : — Our respectful iittt-ntion U i-illcd to tlu' tbllowiiiiiProflaniMtion 
of the Governor of this State: — 

•'The State ok Ohio, Executive Department, 
■•C'oLi'MHrs, Muyl, 186'). 

"In view of the atHictions of Divine I'rovidence upon tlie nation, the Pres- 
ident of the United States has designated Thuksday, the kirst day of- Junb 
next, as a day of humiliation and mourning, and recommended 'that our 
people on that day, in their respective places of worship, unite in solemn 
service to Almighty God in memory of the good man who has been removed, 
so that all shall he occupied at the same time in contemplation of his virtues, 
and sorrow for his sudden and violent end.' 

" Fully concurring with his Excellency, the Tresident, in this measure, I do 
recommend to the people of the State of Ohio a united and solemn observ- 
ance of the same ; that all places of business be closed, and that the day be 
observed as a Sabbath of the Nation; that all our people unite, not only in 
humiliation before the Lord, and contemplation of the services and virtues of 
the great and good man who has been taken away from us, but in earnest 
prayer that Almighty God will sanetify this great affliction to us as a nation 
and a people; that in His wise providence He will rule all these things for 
our good, and that he will strengthen and guide nur present rulers, and 
endow them with wisdom to conduct the nati(tn to peace and unity again. 

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year first 
above written. 

"JOHN BROUGH." 

In due respect to thi.-> united recommendation of the Chief Magistrate of 
the Nation, and of the Governor of the State of Ohio, and in deep sympathy 
with the sorrow of a bereaved people, mourning the death of our late most 
honored President, whose administration God so wonderfully guided and 
prospered ; I exhort the Clergy and Laity of this Diocese, with one heart and 
mind, to assemble in their several churches, on the first day of June, forsak- 
ing all worldly care and business, and uniting together in humiliation and 
prayer, that our merciful God and Father, who in the way of his judgments, 
has given us such signal deliverance, and thi-ough great dangers and trials, 
has preserved to us unimpaired our great national blessings and privileges 
may be pleased to sanctify to us our recent most grievous afflietioii that we 
may the more learn the true wisdom of the fear of God, and obedience to all 
Hi- Will. 

CHAS. P. McILLVAINE, 

Bin hup of f/n; Diocese of Oh to. 
CIN-CINNA.TI. May :>, 13Gr>. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



Cincinnati, 0., June 2, 1865. 
Rev. J. W. McCakty, Rector of Christ Church : — 

Dear Sir: We heard the discourse you delivered yesterdny with great 
pleasure, and would now express our cordial sympathy with its spirit, ae 
well as our thorough assent to the great truths you so ably vindicated. 

We respectfully ask that you would furnish a copy for publication. 

Your friends and parishioners, 

B. Rtorer. 
D. K. EsTE. 
N. Foster. 
P. G. Fore. 

A. II. McGUFFEY. 

H. E. FooTE. 
A. C. Neavk. 
S. P. Bishop. 



Christ Church Vestry Room, 

Cincinnati, June 6, 1865. 
To Hon. Bellamy Storeh, a?id Others: — 

Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a very kind 
and complimentary communication from you, bearing date of 2d inst., 
requesting a copy of the discourse delivered by me, the day before, in Christ, 
Church. In reply, I would say, that, after thinking the matter ..ver, I have 
concluded to place the manuscript at your disposal. 

At first I felt very reluctant to offer it for publication; but, then, on the 
other hand, I reasoned, that, as the sentiments expressed in my discourse, 
have approved themselves to your judgment, and to that of others not 
able to be present at its delivery, whose opinions I also respect, I do not feel 
at liberty to decline a compliance with the request for its publication. 

Besides, we live in times when sentiments of a decisive character lose 
almost all their value by being held too much in reserve. While, then, it 
affords me very groat pleasure to think I shall see my humble effort put 
within reach of the public, there is an intensely greater pleasure in the 
assurance that therein I shall also sec the opinions of leading gentlemen of 
our congregation — some of whom are known, not only in all the churches, 
but to the nation. Its publication, in a certain sense, makes this, not so much 
my discourse, as an instrumentality to which Christ Church defines her 
position and principles to the Christian public. 

Believe me, affectionately, your friend and Pastor, 

JOHN W. McCARTY. 



DISCOURSE 



II Samoel, iii, 38. — "Know ye not that, there is a prince and a great man 
fallen this day'?' 



It is seldom that a gi-eat nation is called to the throne of God 
under circumstances more solemn than those of to-day. Nay, 
since time had its origin, there never was such a spectacle as 
the uplifted features of our continent — might I not say of all the 
continents? — present to Heaven to-day. It is the spectacle of 
a world acknowledging and adoring its almighty Monarch ! It 
is the spectacle of subdued humanity! It is pride wearing 
sackcloth, while God wears the crown! It is haughty man 
humbled ; vain-boasting man subdued ; ambitious man checked ; 
the so-called lord of creation made to feel that he is but dust; 
and God, sovereign and supreme, recognized on the throne, and 
holding the reins of the univei-se ! Ah, this a solemn scene in 
the magniticent drama of the eternal and universal empire ! 

It is a solemn day. too, in the history of the human race. 
Not since man had his origin, has mankind had such impress- 
ive surroundings. War's long, protracted, and bloody carnival 
is over. The grim monster's voice, trained to most startling 
loudness for four terrible years, is hushed. Reeking with 
bloody and ferocious aspect, he stands among us, but his occu- 
pation is gone. The sword is sheathed. The battle-flag is 
furled. The cannon and the drum no more respond to his be- 
hests. A continent rocked to and fro under his martial tramp, 
but the alarming vibrations have ceased. ])eath and Desola- 
tion were growing ricli upon his spoils: but no more shall 



the}'^ gather in his cruel trail. Come, sweet Peace! take the 
Hcepter from his inhuma)! grasji, and bid this, thine enemy and 
ours, be gone. Ah! we feel th}- i-efreshi ng breath to-day. AVe 
realize thy calm; -the very air whispers thy sweetness; the 
very sunshine reflects upon us thine inspiring promises of pros- 
perity and joy. And Liberty, sweet nymph, stands, too, among 
us to-day, wearing an aspect of new hope! She holds all her 
wards by the hand to-da}'. They are casting awaj" their broken 
chains into the abyss of oblivion, and Libei't}' is writing their 
names, for the tirst time, upon the i-olls of humanity. Justice 
is standing by. smiling at this touching transaction, as mucli as 
at her own immortal triumph, or at the new diadem in her im- 
mortal ci'own. The shouting <)f our victorious citizen-soldiers, 
ringing in the national atmosphere, is fitting music to this mo- 
nienti)us occasion. And if we pause to feel the full impressive- 
ness of all combined, thei-e is something that whispers in our 
hearts that the spirits of the illusti-ious dead are not to-day 
uninterested spectators. 

But let us not forget — let not the magnificence of our sur- 
roundings tempt us to forget — why we are here to-day. Let 
not our eyes be turned back from heaven becaiise there are mme 
splendid accompaniments with us here on earth. Let not the 
majesty of our positi<jn as victors beguile us into indifterence 
with respect to the incomparably greater and loftier majesty of 
the Most High, before wliom we humbl}' and tenderly bow at 
this time. Let us remember we have met in obedience to the 
dictates of our national authorities, in service to Almighty God, 
in memor}' of the lionoi-ed Chief Magistrate, who so lately has 
been so suddenly and calamitously removed from among us, 
We are expected to be "occupied in contem])lation of his virtues, 
and sorrow for his sudden and violent end." and. may I not 
a,dd, in the practical lessons inseptirably blended therewith. 

f. There is something sublime in the history of our late Presi- 
dent. We discover it, not S(5 much in the fact that the vicissi- 
tudes of our nation, in a measure, forced him out of obscurity 
into greatness, as in the c<|ually ap])arent fact that the hand of 
the Almighty Wis<loni knew wliei-e to find the instrument, 
Almighty Providence needed. 

A few years since, and he was unknown to fame: but, then. 



the circumstances of the last lew years wore ninxiKcicii. It is, 
to-day, permitted us to draw aside the veil of the past, and 
contemplate the incidents by which a gj-eat character was horn 
and nursed in obscurity for the einergencies of a greater era. 
and of the most illustrious prominence. It is only one of manj- 
instances where we may ask, How are great men prepared for 
the world's great events? and we may answer, '-God educates 
them."' 

I can even now, with fancy's eye, see that plodding back- 
woodsman. I can imagine him some t-sventy years ago, and, as 
some unseen voice wdiispered to me, •• There is one who shall 
yet attract the world's praises, and at whose fall the world's 
tears shall gush forth." I can believe it, when I know that 
industry and virtue seldom pave a downhill ]>atliway. 

He was one of tho.se illustrious few who ilid not tind, as the 
result of ambitious and painful eifort, the world of jjolitics: the 
world of politics found him. He stands before us, not like the 
victorious gladiator, Avho is the champion of the arena of strife, 
:Lad who is entitled to hold his post of honor on account of the 
victims he has sacrificed to his superior powers : no, for our hero's 
superior merits were in the superiority of soul. His jjrOAvess 
is his goodness. He is a conqueror, because he is good. He 
has no record of political heads decapitated, or political prin- 
ciples trampled upon to bring forward. No, he was nursed in 
the lap of virtue. Peace was his guardian angel. Virtue, 
therefore, exalted him, and Peace made ehoice of him to rees- 
tablish her in the beautiful home, from whence anarchy and 
rebellion attempted to drive her away for ever. 

With this man's earlier history we have no more to do tluu) 
ti) see in it the steps leading to his exalted ascent. He is ours 
<)nly from the time the Nation appointed him; but, since that 
time, he is no jnore his own. He l)elongs ti; us, to the world, 
and to posterity. 

It seems as if 'twere only a few days since that his name was 
first announced as the nominee of one of the great political 
parties of five years ago. To what shall we compare our great 
nation at that time? Shall we call it a vast volcano i)i tliosc 
wonderful regions which childish fancy conceived as the realms 
••jf the iriants? Its terrible rumblings were ln-ai-d ovei- the 



8 

world. Its formidable sides heaved in reaction from the fierce 
fires, which struck it within in ever}' direction, in order to 
find vent, and rush out with molten floods of ruin and des- 
olation. The great men themselves were terrified. Fear and 
consternation paled ever}^ face. Every heai't was convulsed. 
Opinions relative to the threatened danger, opinions of every 
character and kind, were given. What can be done? The 
political giants gathered in counsels. A great division, charac- 
teristic of leading opinions took place. One party was for 
strengthening the mountain sides with chains c/f old conser- 
vatisms forged heavier and stronger. Its motto was " Let the 
fires burn as fiercely as they will, provided only we keep them 
confined." What mattered it that thev must burst throujrh 
some day, provided it is not our day. What care we for 
posterity? Patch up the weak spots. Disguise the real danger 
of the case. Let there be, at least, the semblance of unity. 
Eetter any thing than that the bursting flames should mar 
the symmetry of our territory, or break its unity and integrity. 
I need not tell you, now, that it was not this multitude which 
named our great representative of jirogress. 

The principles of the other assembly of counsellors were, of 
course, diff'erentl}' advocated. Their voice was, "Let us suppress 
the eruption, if possible. Unity and integrity at any cost, 
except that of liberty and justice. But no more chains, no more 
old conservatisms, no more compromises, no more flinching 
from the claims of right, no more insults to Liberty. Let the 
volcanic fires burst forth, if the}^ must; we will meet them 
calmly. Let ruin and disaster mar our fixir empire; we will 
stand up like men. Let our lines be broken, if it is necessary, 
we will not rest until they are reunited more firmly and more 
gloriously than ever. Let treason, if it dare, puncture some 
weak spot, so that the full flood of burning desolation will find 
vent; it can not injure truth and right, nor quench the spirit 
of the brave hearts who are sworn to sustain them. Our 
province it shall not be to precipitate the day of danger and 
terror ; but we shall be prepared for its exigencies, for we 
believe it is best that the volcanic force should expend itself 
Till then, we can hardly hope for permanent security and 
safetv." Such were the views of the ijreat men who selected 



him we mourn to-da}', as their representative. Sueh the spirit 
of the phitform of which he was only the visible and living 
embodiment. The jJublic voice to-day, declares as to the wisdom 
of these decisions, and as to the ability and fidelity of him who 
fell in discharge of the duties they imposed. 

We know the issues of the case. Treason defiantly let loose 
the pent-up fires. Eebellion and AVar rushed ibrth at once. 
Gloom gathered in the skies of our IN'ational destiny. The 
very air crackled when the devouring flames found vent. The 
mountain rocked to its very base. Men were divided by more 
distinct lines than ever. It was no longer party spirit merely, 
it was conservatism and progress at war. It was the counterfeit 
of Liberty being jDunished and annihilated by the enraged god- 
dess herself And meanwhile the molten lava of old notions 
of fossilized ])rinciples, of defunct priviliges, of oligarchical 
pretensions, of political rottenness, mingled in one angry 
stream, was rushing out from beneath the foundations, carrying 
much destruction and terror with it; but, even now, fast cooling 
and solidif^'ing, and forming above a purer and better soil, over 
whose surface the verdant beauty of luxuriance and life shall 
at once gather to beautify and enrich evermore the home which 
for herself and her favored ones. Liberty has chosen. 

We have seen these issues, but, amid the turbulence and 
turmoil, we have watched the conduct and leadership of him 
who held the chief official chair in Liberty's temple, and we 
Avere not disappointed. Amid the terrible convulsion, he stood 
calm, and placid, and dignified. When angry passion threatened 
to prevail, his prudent counsels dissijiated it. When disaster 
promoted despondency, his sanguine nature inspired courage. 
When success excited arrogance, his mild and sympathetic 
heart suggested that even the vanquished had human rights. 
His was one of those strange, inflexible natures, true to its own 
impulses, no matter how the force of the popular current went. 
So, wdien the nation advocated haste, he appeared tardy, and 
wlien the nation grew languid, he apjieared too impetuous. 
And yet, in all, he kept true time to the measures beat by the 
popular heart. Whether in advance or following, he knew the 
spirit of the age, he felt the feelings of the ])eople, and he nobly 
and faithfully interpreted both. The haughty crest of war was 



10 

fielil ill check Ijy hi^ wisdom, even when aiiiiiuitod by his iii- 
«piration. Even Libei-ty learned to listen more patiently to thr 
groans of her long oppi'esscd children, and tu witness mon- 
patientls- the horrible inhumanities pei-petrated n])0]i jier war- 
worn heroes, in wretched pens of starvation, and disease. an(t 
madnes.s, and death, and to wait more patiently for the day of 
bettei- things, when soothed and encouraged b}- him whose 
contidence in the right and in the God of right, taught him "to 
do Justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God." 

-:'Foi-do not imagine that this great man was insensible t(r 
religious feelings at the head of a nation. an<.l in the leadershi]> 
of her victorious struggle. Certainly, if there be any occasion 
in which a soul, great in its own grandeur and perfection, is in 
danger of forgetting God. it is in those illustrious station.s 
where a man becomes as a god to others, by the prudence of 
his conduct, the mightiness of his courage, the strength of hin 
arm. the number of his adherents, and the force of his consti- 
tuents — and whose tidelity to tlie cause of right, inspires all the 
rest of the world with love, admiration, or even tei-ror — even 
his suri'oundings — the tramp of messengers and the glitter 
of victoi'ious arms — the marchings of troops — their gloriou.^ 
achii'vements — and their dying words— the solemnity of Cabi- 
net meetings — the grave discussions, the important decisions. 
tlie momentous results — all these assault the soul on so many 
sides, that, being unchecked by wisdoni and moderation, it 
knows neither (iod nor itself. But do religion and humility 
ever ap})ear more majestic than when they keep the heart of 
a man, though in so exalted a jioint of glory, in that submission 
and dependence Avhich the creatiire always owes to the Sovereigiii 
of the Universe? Ah, brethren, he of whom we spe:ik to-day. 
was never n^ore sensible that there was a God over his head, 
than on those extraordinary occasions, when others generally 
forget their Creator. It was then his prayers were most fervent. 
When he lirst left his home to ascend the Presidential chair, his 
legacy to his friends was. "I leave you with the request that 
you pray for me." and that request moved the hearts and lips 
of millions. During the four years of his momentous adminis- 



Note. — Vide, " Oraijons Funebres, par M. Flechier."' 



11 

tration, marked by man}' a dark and doubtful hour, he thought 
and praved, and fought and forgave, nintil the dawn of victory 
already tinged the horizon. *And when he penned his last 
official document, there was enough of the Christian visible in 
it to attract the attention, and call out the praise of even cold 
and unfriendly Euroj^e. t Ah, it is very difficult to be victori- 
ous and humble at the same time. Success leaves a pleasure in 
the heart that often excludes all other thoughts. We ascribe to 
ourselves the superiority of power and strength. We crown 
ourselves with our own hands. 

We form a secret triumph in ourselves ; we look upon those 
laurels which are gathered with labor and pains, and are often 
sprinkled with our blood, as our property. And even when we 
give God solemn thanks, and hang up our victorious banners in 
His temples, what danger is there that vanity will not extin- 
guish some part of the acknowledgment that encomiums to 
self will not detract from unreserved gratitude to God, and that 
self will reserve some little portion of the incense wo are going- 
to burn upon His altars ? It was, on such occasions, that our 
late President, divesting himself of all such pretensions, ascribed 
all the glory to Him to whom alone it lawfully belongs. 

II. There is in the character of every great hero that which 
fostens us to its contemplation. We love to linger near it, and 
view it in every possible light; for greatness, either in the phy- 
sical world or in the human world, can not be comprehended at 
a glance, or appreciated by too rapid a survey. Its lines of light 
must be studied seriatim. We have but glanced at a few points 
of our departed hero; we can not linger longer with him now ; 
we must sum up his greatness in a few words. God gave him a 
life of hard, hard work. Meeting him first in the flinty valley 



■•■■ XoTK. — The following are some of the lirlng words whicli remain to us 
a.s the leu;acy of our dead President: 

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right; 
as God gives us to sec the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are 
engaged in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care fur him who shall have 
borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphans, to do all which may 
cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. — 
Second Irian f/K ml. 

t .M. Fiechier. 



12 

of humility, the Almighty took him by the hand and educated 
him in the nobility of toil. From thence the Divine hand led 
him up the mountain steep of intellectual toil, and, as he 
ascended, it was discovered that the man possessed a conscience ; 
and then the Divine Providence led him into the great battle of 
life — the battle of life and liberty and the right, and when he 
was well tried, another Providential movement placed him in 
the Executive chair of the nation: and there I need not trace 
for you his history; for step by step he rose in greatness before 
us, holding high over the carnival of war, the olive branch to an 
infatuated and infuriated people, who icould not look : yet is he 
not disconcerted thereby ^breathing peace over a martial conti- 
nent, but unheard, because the atmosphere of passion and 
ambition would not waft its tender and conciliating messages — 
until, all dispassionate, he reached the pinnacle where he might 
untrammeled strike the clarion of liberty, and startle, thereby, 
the world from its slumbers. Ah, the century will have closed 
before the echoes of emancipation shall be hushed — that single 
act shall live as long as progress is the law of the world. When 
the pillars of Waterloo and Bunker Hill, like an Egyptian 
obelisk, shall have lost their inscriptions and their meaning, 
Freedoms monument shall reinain "a rock amidst the flood of 
time." No wonder the world woke as from a dream. No wonder 
crowns and scepters grew cowardly, and the hammer and the 
anvil grew royal ! No wonder that caste grew pale, and industry 
shouted for joy! No wonder the eyes of the world turned upon 
this great leader of liberty's march. But the wonder is, the 
world beheld the man in his simplicity and honesty still, nothing 
affected by his sublime ascent, except that, at every upward step, 
he recognized more clearly the finger of Grod, and bowed with all 
the more reverential homage to its significant and earth-embrac- 
ing indications. And, Oh, grander and more inspiring thought 
than all, when, at the very loftiest summit of his greatness, his 
eye caught the splendor of the cross of Jesus, and his heart 
embraced the Redeeming Savior! *It was about a month previous 
to his unex])ected death I was put in possession of the spoken 
testimony of this great man, that, as he gazed upon the memor- 
able fields of Gettysburg, and recalled the terrible things trans- 

* Vide Appendix A. 



13 

acted there, written there in letters of blood, he could not but 
realize the necensity of a Divine atonement for human sin, and 
that, therefore, he must not withhold his heart's love from his 
Savior. Oh, there is something snbliine in such a life! It grows 
greater still as we gaze upon it ; it makes iis realize that the 
Sampson of Bible history is not a myth; for in his life, like 
Sampson, he carried away the gates of the Gaza of rebellion ; 
in his death, like Sampson, he pulled down the pillars of the 
temple of rebellion. " In his death," — alas, that we have to 
say it! — '-in his death," — alas, that this dark drapery still keeps it 
fresh in memory — " in his death!"'* Oh, terrible God, and yet just 
in Thy dealings with the children of men, Thou disposest both of 
rulers and nations, to accomplish Thy will, and make us fear Thy 
judgm^ts. Thy power overthrows those whom Thy power had 
raised. Thou sacrificest great victims to thine own sovereign 
greatness, and Thou strikest, when Thou thinkest fit, those 
illustrious lieads, which thine own hand hast so often crowned. 

I did not intend to pronounce a eulogy, but I could not help 
it. Truly, it is hard to look away from the greatness of one 
whom God has made great. Perhaps there are some here to-day 
who do not see as I see, who have some other ideal before their 
mind's eye, of whose claims to greatness they are somewhat 
jealous. Well, at least, it can be said, so as to break down all 
thoughts of rivalry, my hero is now an occupant of that unseen 
Kingdom t 'where there is uo fear of rivals, and where com- 
petitors view one anothei- without jealousy." 

III. But, I can not close to-day without viewing our subject 
in another light. Abraham Lincoln i'ej)0ses in the silent tomb, 
but the spirit, which tound embodiment in liim. still survives, 
and is in no danger of ceasing to exist. 

For, after all. what was this man any moiT than the represent- 
ative of the American people? As long as they live, he virtually 
lives : his enemies are the enemies of the people, his principles 
are the ])eop]o's principles. The people's triumphs are his, even 
if nought earthly but his ashes remain to participate therein. 
When, therefore, we contemplate his meinory to-day, it is only 
fitting that we contemplate the JSational era. of which his ad- 
ministrative life has been but the index. When we reflect that 



* Oraison Funiebre do M. Turenne. t Bo.suet. 



14 

the hand which struck him down, and the power which prompted 
the stroke, aimed not so much at the man, as at the National 
heart, it is fitting we recall the dangers and the deliverances 
of those momentous daj's. 

What, then, has been the chief danger? Treason, treason in 
high places, treason rampant. It has been the era of treason 
arrayed against loyalty, aiming at dominion, defiant of consti- 
tuted law, audaciously attempting National disintegration, 
deceiving one-half the world, bribing the other, (and that by 
false promises) to aid its usurpation. Let us analyze the insid- 
iousness and audacity of its plans, in order to have plainly 
before our minds the formidable forces it led in its onslaught 
upon our National Constitution and law. 

1. Far back in our national history, treason infused its 
pestiferous influence into our nation by s(> tampering with rulers 
and people as to promote disobedience to the law of God. "Let 
the Constitution be the law," was its sage advice. Sin was thus 
legalized. We can have no higher laAV, no other ground of final 
appeal, no code of more binding authority, than the Constitution 
as it is. Why, we can scarcely believe to-day that principles 
so fanatical were ever advocated ; but then we can well remem- 
ber when he was branded as the fanatic who had courage 
enough to pronounce the Constitution imperfect, and who had 
daring enough to state its imperfections. That was the first 
grand attempt of treason. Truly, I must believe, the evil spirit 
himself was pi'esent to prompt the measure. It was a master- 
stroke of infernal sti-ategy, which, when the bulwarks of National 
safety were shaken, would leave the people without the pro- 
tection of a justly oifended and angry God. 

2. But, by-and-b_y, treason brought in its more ostensible 
pretext in the shape of slavery. The way was well paved by 
the principle just alluded to. Treason cried aloud, the Consti- 
tution recognizes and sustains this institution ; how dare j'ou, 
then, call it in question from the law of God ? Treason had no 
heart to interpret the precept, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as 
thyself" It had no soul in which to weigh the golden rule : " All 
things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye 
even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets." It could 
very glibly descant upon the virtuous act of Paul, who sent back 



, 15 

Onesimus to Philemon; but it took good care to quote Scripture, 
just as the arehtraitor did when tempting Immannel, namely, just 
enough to suit its own villiany; for it never told us, that when 
Paul sent Onesimus hack, he very s])eeitically mentions, "No 
longer as a slave, but above a slave, a brother beloved."' But, wliat 
mattered all this to treason ? It had unsettled men's minds, as to 
the final appeal of the law of God in any ease. And so it pushed 
its idol into the foreground with impudent arrogance, and de- 
manded that Freedom, in the name of Freedom's God, should 
cede it an empire! What shall I say? Was the insulted God 
inactive ? Did the Almighty brook the insult ? Ah, He sent out 
the blast of his indignation, and invoked the winds and waves, 
iind the tempest arose. He touched the land with the finger of 
His providence, and the rumbling of the eai'th-<juake was heard. 
A pestiferous air of factions and insurrections suddenl}" revealed 
itself in the State, extending itself on every side. The passions, 
which sin and selfishness, fanned by treachery had kindled, 
broke the fences of justice and reason, and some of the wisest 
men being drawn away b}' the torrent of sophisti-y and unshap- 
■ed opinions against their better inclinations, found they had 
i^trayed beyond the bounds of their duty, ere the}' perceived it. 
Ah, why can not we obliterate those melancholy fjicts from 
history, and keep them from the knowledge of jjosterity ? Why 
shall it ever be written that American citizens, not only tolera- 
ted, but even worshipped at the shrine of Slavery? 

H. But I wander. It was at this conjuncture, that treason, 
instigated, as the next accomplice in its ju-ojects. the fell demon 
of rebellion. Need I tell you of the sad scenes which followed ? 
Alas, they are too plainly printed in letters of blood, upon the 
tablets of memory. Ah, they are printed where desolation and 
ileath have walked hand in hand — where fire and swoi-d have 
envied each other — where sickness hath destroyeil in the night 
and destruction wasted at noon-day — whei-e starvation watches 
over its thousands of victims, and where the march of war can 
be tracked by the graves where the slain lie sleeping. I 
speak not of widoweH homes; I mention not the anguish of 
orphaned hearts ; I count not up the catalogue of childless 
mothers. I can onl}- say, permit me, in response to my heart's 
emotions at this spectacle of horror and sorrow, to drop a tear 



16 

e 

of sympathy for the sorrowful, and a tear of respect to the 
memory of the illustrious dead ! Oh, in what terrible times we 
have lived ! * Do you think the thousands of fallen heroes ? 
Do you think the very tombs of your ancesors will not break 
' into groans if ever henceforth you speak in aught but the most 
uncompromising denunciation of treason and rebellion, thus 
conspiring and attempting to demolish the asylum of the world? 

4. And behold, to-day, in the act of assassination, the finished, 
but unsuccessful work of treason. It has assumed the serpent- 
shape once more, and crept to the very throne of the Republic^ 
there, with venemous fang, to strike at the nation's crown. Ah, 
it originated in j)ride, it was well it should go out in folly, for 
there be no more absurd infatuation than to imagine that the 
assassination of the honored President of a victorious Republic 
could accomplish aught else than to strengthen the principles 
of the people whom he represented, and to consolidate their 
hearts and their energies anew to be more than ever consecrated 
to their God and the right. And ah, as we commemorate the 
man to-day, we read in his memory volumes of our National 
history. It sets visibly before us the links of that chain of 
causes, which has clothed a continent in mourning — and which 
marks the successive steps in treason's formidable attempt. 
These links are : 1st. Imj)ious disregard of God's law. 2d. 
The idolatry of human slavery. 8d. The arrogance of rebellion, 
and last, the assassin's hand. 

IV. I have done with the past. Since it is impossible to hide 
altogether those of its dark features, upon which so much blood 
has made too strong an impression, let us henceforth reveal 
them, at least, like that artful painter who invented the profile, 
in order to conceal the blemishes in a face. What then shall I 
say? I see the assassin dishonorably fallen, and the assassin's 
act universally hated and condemned. I sec the spirit of rebel- 
lion broken, its dreams of empire dissipated, its cause a stigma, 
its uniform gladly exchanged for the uniform of loyalty, its 
adherents, many penitent and all subdued. I see human 
slavery put to death, and the scroll of urriversal emancipation, 
registered upon the nation's archives, while four millions of 



Note. — From Demosthenes. 



17 

■unfettered hands are clapping with the joyous enthxisiasm of 
disenthrallment and liberty. The world looks on half surprised, 
half terrified, and humanity ascribes, "Thanks unto Almighty 
God!" I see -'disobedience to God's law" becoming more and 
more unpopular, in proportion, as it is discovered to be unsafe, 
and in proportion as the beauty, as well as the majesty of divine 
order and law, like a light breaking through the clouds, becomes 
more and more evident, and, therefore, more and more impres- 
Bive. I hear the dj'ing notes of war, the swelling music of 
National hope, attuned to the spirit of an age, in which again, 
^'Liberty unsheathed the sword, necessity stained it, victory 
returns it." And in all these events, no less wonderful than 
rapid, I feel the impressive footstep of the approaching and still 
more glorious future. Alread}' the dawning of the new day that 
ip coming upon this earth of ours is breaking, and I feel that I 
shall behold the sunrise of this day. Ah. brethren, like the 
Prophet Elijah, we may perceive the presence of the Lord in 
His still, small voice of peace, even amid the roar of storms, the 
convulsions of the earthquake, the ravages of the fire, and the 
crashing of tempests. It is a day of sacred things, we dare not 
be indifferent to its indications. We dare not shut our ears, 
when, from earth and skies, the song of the world's destinies is 
sounding* " Hallelujah! Hallelujah! From sunrise to midnight 
flames the power and might of the Lord ! Who will stay his 
thunderbolts ? 

"Hallelujah ! Hallelujah I Into all lands looks thine eye of 
love, O, Almighty King, Thy truth endures for everlasting. 
Who will reverse Thy decrees? 

"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! The redemption of humanity 
draweth nigh. We have seen the yoke of the oppressor broken. 
His dominion is ended. No one shall build his kingdom ajrain 
forever: for the Lord hath spoken it in the wondrous deeds we 
have witnessed, and are witnessing. 

"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent 
reigneth. Hallelujah !" 



i^NoTE. — Words like these, formed the dying excljunation of tho pious Jacob 
Bolime, the Seer of Gorlitz. 



.* ^, 



18 



APPENDIX A. 

The following extract, clipped from a number of the Christian Press issued' 
some six weeks previous to the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, is especially 
valuable. It is no 2:>ost »iortem testimony, manufactured to suit a special 
occasion ; but simply an honest word, spoken while yet the man lived ; when 
no one expected his death ; when from his spirit and conduct, every one was 
prepared to believe it. Often did I think over it, while yet he lived, to thank 
God — often have I thought of it since he died, only to thank God more fer- 
vently, for such soul cheering testimony : 

Probably no President nf the United States was ever the subject of more 
earnest prayers than has been Abraham Lincoln, and from published state- 
ments it is gratifying to believe that those prayers have been answered. At 
a recent Sabbath-school convention in Massachusetts, a speaker stated that 
a friend of his, during an interview with Mr. Lincoln, asked him if he loved 
Jksus. The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept. He then 
said: "When I left home to take this chair of state, I requested my country- 
men to pray for me. I was not then a Christian. When iny son died — the 
severest trial of my lift- — I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettys- 
burg, and lo()k(.'d upon the graves of our dead heroes that had fallen in defense 
of their country, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. / do love 
Jesus." Rev. Mr. Adams, of Philadelphia, stated in his Thanksgiving sermon, 
that, having an appointment to meet the President at 5 o'clock in the morning,, 
he went a quarter of an hour before the time. While waiting for the hour, 
he heard a voice in the next room as if in grave conversation, and asked the 
servant, "Who is talking in the next room?" "It is the President, sir." "Is 
any body with him?" "No, sir; he is reading the Bible." "Is that his habit 
so early in the morning?" "Yes, sir; he spends every morning, from 4 to= 
3 o'clock, in reading the Scrii*tures and praying." 



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